Collision Repair Technology

The Collision Repair Technology Program is intended to prepare students, through both classroom and lab experiences, with the skills necessary to obtain a broad range of entry level technician positions in the automotive collision repair profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention and advancement. The program emphasizes both major automotive collision repair and automotive painting and refinishing, and is based on industry standards.

The curriculum consists of extensive classroom instruction and practical hands-on training in the various phases of automotive components, welding, auto mechanical and electrical systems, equipment safety and operations, major collision repair, auto refinishing, panel alignment and glass replacement. Classroom instruction focuses on math, computer training, hydraulics, service management, customer service and small business management. In all program areas safety practices and concerns are highlighted. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates earn an Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree. Many students enter the collision repair program with little to no experience, but can leave with the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently enter the workforce.

• “Our class is a real wreck.” Students work on vehicles with actual collision damage or restoration needs, using equipment and technology found in real work environments.
• I-CAR certifications — Rosedale Tech offers an I-CAR certified program and incorporates I-CAR ProLevel Series certification training; students can earn ProLevel Series certifications by completing I-CAR certification tests.
• ASE certifications — students are prepared to take the four collision repair tests required for becoming an ASE-certified technician.
• Hands-on training at the #1 Cochran TechEx Center, on a four-day school week.

Rosedale Technical College is a private, non-profit technical college founded in 1949 and in continuous operation since, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In 2018 Forbes ranked Rosedale Tech 11th on its list of Top 25 Two-Year Trade Schools, and in 2021 it ranked 3rd on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s non-profit list of 2-Year Colleges with Best Graduation Rates for 2019.

To be accepted for admission, an applicant must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalent certificate. Applications are accepted from high school students who are expected to graduate; however, their graduation must be confirmed before entering the college. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

Entrance exam. Applicants must successfully complete a recognized entrance exam, administered by a member of the staff, or present an acceptable SAT/ACT score. For Collision Repair applicants the passing score is 16 on the Wonderlic, or an SAT of 950 or ACT of 18.

For final acceptance, each applicant must submit an official final high school transcript or an official equivalent certificate/documentation and possess a valid driver’s license.

Transfer credits are accepted: students transferring from another post-secondary institution or the military should speak with the Director of Education, and official transcripts are required for review. Rosedale Tech also has articulation agreements with a number of high school career training centers (CTCs).

Class hours. Monday through Thursday, 7:30am – 3:00pm — a four-day school week that helps students balance school with work and other obligations.

Program length. The courses are taught in four 16-week semesters, and the program can be completed in 16 months. The complete program consists of 73.5 semester credit hours, and progress reports are distributed at the end of each grading period.

Start dates. Classes for day programs start approximately every 8 – 16 weeks. Contact an admissions representative for the exact start date; some programs may not be available for every start date.

Holidays and breaks. In 2026 the college observes M.L. King Day, Presidents Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, a summer break from 07/14/26 through 08/02/26, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and a Christmas break from 12/24/26 through 01/03/27. In 2027 there is a spring break from 03/20/27 through 03/28/27 and a summer break from 07/20/27 through 08/08/27. Due to how holidays fall, some semesters may have an additional week. The maximum time allowed to complete a program is 150% of its published length, measured in semester credit hours attempted.

Tuition and fees. Tuition is $9,625 per semester for four 16-week semesters, a total of $38,500 ($523.81 per credit). Students are full-time when enrolled in 12 to 22 credits per semester, and semester tuition may be adjusted for transfer credits and advanced standing. All programs carry a $40.00 application fee, paid with the application, and a $110.00 registration fee, paid on acceptance. Tuition and fees may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

Other costs. Lab fees, charged each semester, total $1,800. Textbooks and supplies are estimated at $200. A professional tool set through the college is estimated at $2,200, or students may elect to join a Snap-On voucher program instead. The uniform package is $375. Students must also provide a Windows laptop.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Many Rosedale Tech students qualify for some type of financial assistance. The college pairs accepted students with a financial aid coordinator to help customize a personalized financial aid plan that may include eligible grants, loans, and other awards, and will also assist with the application for federal financial aid. Rosedale Tech is proud to support members of the military community as they transition back to civilian life; its financial aid team includes members who are VA certified and can help military students navigate their military benefits for education.

Aid programs. The college is an eligible institution for these programs, and its Financial Aid Officer supplies information on how to apply:

• PA State Grant — for Pennsylvania residents; grants do not have to be repaid, and certain deadline dates apply.
• Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP) — a needs-based state program for PA residents training in short-term programs for a targeted (growth) industry.
• Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) — grants that do not have to be repaid. Title IV eligibility starts with the FAFSA®.
• Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal PLUS Loans for parents of dependent undergraduates — funds borrowed must be repaid.
• Federal Work Study — a limited number of campus jobs, with information in the Student Success Center.
• Veterans’ educational benefits, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation funding, the Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship, and TRA/TAA retraining for displaced workers.

Institutional grants. Students must be conditionally accepted, complete the FAFSA and complete the Grant Application. Grants include an Early Application Grant ($500, apply before December 31st of the senior year of high school), SkillsUSA competition awards (a $250 tool credit for all competitors, and grants for top-3 regional, state and national finishers), a Scouting Achievement Grant ($2,000), a Firefighter/EMS Grant ($1,000), a Gear Grant (up to $3,000 for students with unmet need), a Displaced Worker Grant (up to $4,000), a Pathway Grant and a Changing Lanes Pathway Grant (up to $2,000 for transfer students).

Graduates of this program have entry level career paths as Automotive Collision Technician, Automotive Body Technician, Frame Technician, Painter, Auto Glass Installer and Minor Mechanical Repairs. These positions are available in automotive new vehicle dealerships, independent body/repair shops, fleet service centers and car rental organizations. Students are also prepared to sit for the I-CAR certifications.

Career paths of collision repair graduates have also included auto body service technician; claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner and investigator; estimator; and painting and coating worker.

Outcomes. In the 2024–2025 rates reported to the PA State Board of Private Licensed Schools in September 2025, Collision Repair recorded an 80% graduation rate (20 of 26 starts, with 1 still enrolled), and 94% of 2023–24 graduates were placed in jobs.

Career services. Advice and instruction in resume preparation, job applications and interviews, and assistance in securing full-time and temporary employment, are provided through Rosedale Technical College’s career placement services. All current students and graduates are eligible for placement assistance throughout their careers. The Student Success Team connects students with employers through career fairs, mock interviews, employer presentations and company field trips, and Rosedale Tech works with over 1,800 regional employers. No guarantee of employment is made, nor are any promises implied regarding minimum starting salaries.

The collision repair lab offers access to a body straightener, paint and baking booth, paint mixing area, service lifts and alignment racks along with tear down and assembly areas. The program runs at the #1 Cochran TechEx Center in the Chosky building.

Grading and graduation. Grades are based on classroom participation, laboratory and project work, and written assessments, on a scale from A (91–100) to F (64 and below). To graduate, a student must pass all program courses, reach a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.0, maintain any program attendance requirements and complete any program-specific requirements. A student may face disciplinary action, up to termination, after 10 absences, 10 lates/early departures or 10 partial absences in a semester. Students also receive a soft skills transcript each semester that evaluates communication, eye contact, team participation, timeliness, safety adherence and dress code.

Class size. The average class size is less than 25 students per class; the maximum during lab is 30 students per instructor.

Bring your own technology. Students must have a reliable Windows laptop or netbook (Apple products cannot be used) with a keyboard, Wi-Fi, a camera, at least 4 GB RAM and a 10” screen. Most textbooks are supplied in electronic format, and the college uses Moodle as its learning management system. Programs marked hybrid are intended to be taught fully in person; only in extenuating circumstances may courses be taught in a hybrid format through Moodle.